Be a Spoon

Tonight may be one of the highlights of my summer. Have you ever been in a room of middle school students in total worship to God? Tears were spilling, noses were sniffing, hands were writing, etc. Scott, our speaker, decided on a spontaneous worship session after the message. He asked everyone to spread out around the room and focus on what God wants to change in each of our lives and what does that look like in our lives individually. His message tonight overviewed Psalm 101 in which David writes of his aspirations to praise God in every way. Scott talked about a part of this Psalm the past three nights and tied it up tonight. The Holy Spirit was extremely evident in the message tonight as it seemed to register fully with the entire sanctuary of students and leaders. You know that feeling when you know God truly has His hand in something? Well, thats what it felt like, and everyone felt it. Over and over my only thought was "God is CRAZY!" Not crazy in a bad way at all, but crazy as in amazing, huge, unfathomable. Trying to even imagine God's greatness is simply not plausible, and that is the beauty of it.

Dwight invited the students to remain in the chapel to pray or think or anything they felt they needed to do instead of leaving. Many left, but quite a few stayed. I stayed. One, because seeing God work in the lives of others is beautiful. Watching one girl cling to the front wall, which holds the cross, weeping, completely ridding herself of inhibitions and humbling herself before God was one of the most powerful sights I have seen this summer. Another reason I stayed was to talk to anyone who needed an ear, an encouraging word, a shoulder. A couple girls, in particular, I approached and asked if I could pray with/for them. Such a tender moment for me when they allowed me to pray for them. It didn't hit me until I returned to my seat how much I have grown in Christ. It is truly amazing that I now am filled with enough confidence to overflow the Christ in my life to others. I feel like I am finally realizing what it means to advance the Kingdom of God in the world.

My version of David's Psalm 101 is filled with aspirations to be a leader in Christ, to not only be a disciple, but one who disciples others as well, and also to be someone who can pour love, knowledge and wisdom into the lives of others. As I have seen over and over this summer, I was privileged growing up not because God loves me in particular, but that God loves His children. I am called to take what I have, whether that be material things or not, and give them and share them with others. For example, God has graced me with a positive outlook on others, not for me to keep to myself, but to share through smiles, hugs, words, and encouragement. 

Another part of my Psalm 101 is not limiting the gospel. The gospel is for everyone. By everyone I mean my neighbor, the student I sit next to in class, the man behind the cash register, and people in Asia, Africa, Europe, the Americas, Antarctica: EVERYONE. The gospel seems to have become limited to words said instead of through the lifestyle of those who claim Christ as their Savior-that needs to change. The story and truth of Christ changes the way we act as it is an overflow from what we know is true inside of us spilling to reach those around. 

So, what does this look like? A boy this week wore a shirt this week that said "Be a spoon. Spoons serve." And that is exactly what my Psalm 101 looks like. Being a spoon.

Ephesians 6:7 

Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people.